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Detective: Georgia dad was sexting while son was in hot car

Reviewing evidence presented against Justin Ross Harris in court, the prosecution noted the Georgia dad sexted multiple women the day his 22-month-old son died in his hot car. Ross Harris maintains he did not know his son was in the car.
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During a probable cause hearing, a police detective testified that Justin Ross Harris was sexting with several women on the day of his son's death and there were two life insurance policies on his son, Cooper.

Cobb County Police Detective Phil Stoddard described the evidence police have suggesting Harris, who also is charged with child cruelty, killed Cooper intentionally.

Harris and his wife had two life insurance policies for the toddler, one for $2,000 and one for $25,000. Furthermore, Harris' wife had become unhappy with her husband's spending habits, Stoddard said.

A woman whom Harris was sexting with, said that Harris "wanted to hook up." Several explicit pictures were sent, beginning in the morning and lasting throughout the day, according to Stoddard said.

Maddox Kilgore, Harris' attorney, objected to the questions about the sexting, but the district attorney said that would show Harris was in an unhappy marriage and wanted a "childless life."

Stoddard also testified that Harris had accessed websites advocating "child free" and searched "how to survive prison" before Cooper died.

Stoddard testified that Harris should be denied bond. "I think the evidence now is showing intent," he said. Stoddard said Harris was a "flight risk," because there was evidence of a double life, Harris had family in Alabama and that Harris had said he had law enforcement experience.

Harris has told police he was supposed to drive his son to day care the morning of June 18 but drove to work without realizing that his son was strapped into a car seat in the back.

Stoddard testified that Harris told him that he went to lunch with two friends and they stopped at a Home Depot, where Harris bought some light bulbs. Surveillance footage showed Harris returned to his car and tossed some items into his vehicle.

Stoddard testified that Harris never told them during questioning that he'd returned to his vehicle during lunch.

Harris had planned to go to a movie at 5 p.m. with his friends, Stoddard said. On the way to the movies, Harris quickly pulled over and pulled Cooper from the back seat of his SUV and placed him on the ground. A witness said that he performed CPR on the boy as Harris made phone calls.

Stoddard said that witnesses reported that Harris told someone by phone Cooper had died. Harris told detectives that he never reached anyone by phone, Stoddard testified.

Stoddard said Harris told his wife that Cooper "looked at peace" with his eyes and mouth closed. Leanna said, "I dreaded how he would look," the detective testified. Stoddard stated that according to the pictures he saw of Cooper after his death, the boy's eyes and mouth were not closed.

The detective said that when he told Harris he'd be charged with murder, Harris responded, "But there's no malicious intent."

Stoddard said he believes Harris should remain in jail because "he's a flight risk." The detective said there was evidence of a double life, Harris had family in Alabama and that Harris had said he had law enforcement experience.

A defense witness testified that Harris appeared to be extremely upset after pulling into the parking lot, trying to do CPR on his son.